ABSTRACTArterial stiffness, measured as aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV), and wave reflection, measured as augmentation index (AIx), are independent predictors for total and
cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to compare a new device

Arterial
stiffness parameters are commonly used to determine the development of atherosclerotic disease. The independent predictive value of aortic stiffness has been demonstrated for coronary
events.

HYPOTHESIS:

The aim of
our study was to compare regional and local arterial functional parameters measured by 2 different noninvasive methods in patients with verified coronary artery disease (CAD). We also compared
and contrasted these stiffness parameters to the coronary SYNTAX score in patients who had undergone coronary angiography.

METHODS:

In this
study, 125 CAD patients were involved, and similar noninvasive measurements were performed on 125 healthy subjects. The regional velocity of the aortic pulse wave (PWVao) was measured by a novel
oscillometric device, and the common carotid artery was studied by a Doppler echo-tracking system to determine the local carotid pulse wave velocity (PWVcar). The augmentation index (AIx), which
varies proportionately with the resistance of the small arteries, was recorded simultaneously.

RESULTS:

In the CAD
group, the PWVao and aortic augmentation index (Alxao) values increased significantly (10.1 ± 2.3 m/sec and 34.2% ± 14.6%) compared to the control group (9.6 ± 1.5 m/sec and 30.9% ± 12%; P <
0.05). We observed similar significant increases in the local stiffness parameters (PWVcar and carotid augmentation index [Alxcar]) in patients with verified CAD. Further, we found a strong
correlation for PWV and AIx values that were measured with the Arteriograph and those obtained using the echo-tracking method (r = 0.57, P < 0.001 for PWV; and r = 0.65, P < 0.001 for AIx
values).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our
results indicate that local and regional arterial stiffness parameters provide similar information on impaired arterial stiffening in patients with verified CAD.

Munich, Germany – August 27 2012: Renal denervation improves blood pressure and arterial stiffness in patients with therapy resistant hypertension, according to
research presented at ESC Congress 2012 by Mr Klaas Franzen from the University Hospital of Schleswig-Holstein. The findings suggest that renal denervation regenerates blood vessels and could
reduce cardiovascular events.

Malignant arterial hypertension was historically treated with surgical thoracolumbar splanchnicectomy, a type of sympathectomy treatment that was introduced in 1938.
"A significant reduction in blood pressure response was observed in at least half of the patients who underwent splanchnicectomy," said Mr Franzen. "But the treatment led to severe adverse events
such as orthostatic hypotension, anhidrosis and intestinal disturbances. After the discovery of effective antihypertensive drugs, splanchnicectomy became neglected and disregarded over
time."

Mr Franzen said: "RDN with radiofrequency energy has several important advantages over surgical splanchnicectomy: it is a minimally invasive procedure without
significant systematic side effects, it is well tolerated, and recovery times are short."

Arterial hypertension can irrevocably harm blood vessels in the short and long term, subsequently leading to increased aortic/arterial stiffness and
arteriosclerosis. "Since central aortic pressures and arterial stiffness are much better predictors for future cardiovascular events than peripheral pressures we focused the present study on the
effects of RDN on central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness," said Mr Franzen.

RDN was performed with an RDN radiofrequency ablation catheter system (1). Central hemodynamics and arterial stiffness, i.e. pulse wave velocity (PWV), were recorded
with an Arteriograph device (2). Measurements were performed at baseline, and 3 and 6 months after the intervention.

In controls no significant changes in blood pressure values or PWV were observed.

"Besides peripheral blood pressures, RDN improved central blood pressures and arterial stiffness, i.e. PWV," said Mr Franzen. "According to age adjusted reference
values, the improvement of approximately 1m/s PWV observed in our study could be interpreted as a blood vessel rejuvenation of almost 10 years. This suggests that RDN might be a fountain of youth
for blood vessels in patients with therapy resistant hypertension."

He added: "Further studies are needed to determine whether the benefits of RDN translate into a reduced risk of cardiovascular events."

Arteriograph- Comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment in only 3 minutes! - A medical breakthrough in early diagnostics of
atherosclerosis!

A big problem today is that many individuals with high risk of cardiovascular diseases otherwise have normal values; normal blood pressure, blood
lipids and resting-EKG. The catastrophe strikes without any prior warning. The Arteriograph is an evidence based, fast, easy, noninvasive and user independent way of assessing
cardiovascular risk. For the first time one have a good chance of finding high risk patient before it is too late.

1.Screening of early atherosclerosis among ”healthy” individuals. Only the Arteriograph is useful for this. The Arteriograph gives an overall picture
of the risk of assessing cardiovascular disease.

2.Evaluating the effects of treatments (drugs, nutritional supplements and lifestyle changes etc) on the vascular functions among patients with
established atherosclerosis (CAD, POST MI, STROKE, PAD)

3.Is it not enough to check the blood lipids and blood pressure to prevent atherosclerosis and thereby strokes? No, 40-60% of patients with stroke or
heart attacks do not have any know abnormal values such as high amount of blood lipids or high blood pressure (Johns Hopkins White Papers, Coronary Heart Disease - 1998, etc).
They also have normal blood glucose values, resting-EKG, are non-smokers and have a healthy diet. Up until now it has been impossible to find there individuals.

4.Todays metods of assessing cardiovascular risk (SCORE, Framingham) all have limits. They do not take into account important factors such as lack of
physical activity, overweight, psychological factors or previous cardiovascular circumstances. (Simon, A. and Levenson, J.: May subclinical arterial disease helps to better detect
and treat high-risk asymptomatic individuals? J Hypertension 2005, 23: 1939-1945)

5.In most cases, lowering the blood pressure is not enough to avoid early death. Individuals who can lower both their arterial stiffness and blood
pressure have a much greater chance of a longer life.Circulation 2001;103:987

6.The Arteriograph is mobile and easy to use. The screening is fast, comfortable, harmless and user independent. It takes only a few minutes and can be
described as a computerized blood pressure measurement.

7.Today´s other available methods are hard to use, expensive, and requires an adequate educated staff. In the future, the Arteriograph may replace the
regular blood pressure measurement as it is just as easy but gives much more information.

The Arteriograph is intended for DAILY USE at your clinic to measure AIx, PWV and Central blood pressure etc.

A big problem today is that many individuals with high risk of cardiovascular diseases otherwise
have normal values; normal blood pressure, blood lipids and resting-EKG. The catastrophe strikes without any prior warning.

The Arteriograph is an evidence based, fast, easy, noninvasive and user independent way of
assessing cardiovascular risk. For the first time one have a good chance of finding high risk patients before it is too late .The Arteriograph is also used to evaluate the effect of different
medications.